Exposure of the heart to ionizing radiation during radiotherapy for breast cancer increases the subsequent rate of ischemic heart disease. The increase is proportional to the mean dose to the heart, begins within a few years after exposure, and continues for at least 20 years. Women with preexisting cardiac risk factors have greater absolute increases in risk from radiotherapy than other women. (Funded by Cancer Research UK and others.).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Darby et al. (2013) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: